Jakarta Globe – AFP, Nov 04, 2014
Vienna. Perhaps it was nerves before being serenaded by crossdressing Eurovision singer Conchita Wurst, but UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday fell into the trap of confusing Austria with Australia during a visit to Vienna.
Vienna. Perhaps it was nerves before being serenaded by crossdressing Eurovision singer Conchita Wurst, but UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday fell into the trap of confusing Austria with Australia during a visit to Vienna.
“I thank in
particular [Austrian] President [Heinz] Fischer and the government of
Australia,” Ban told reporters at a UN conference of developing landlocked
countries hosted by the Austrian capital.
He later
corrected himself and apologised in the news conference, saying: “There are no
kangaroos in Austria. Sometimes this happens, I hope you understand.”
Later,
Wurst raised the roof for Ban and several hundred UN staff, belting out Cher’s
“Believe” and “Rise Like a Phoenix”, the song the bearded drag queen sang to
win the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year.
Wurst has
used her Eurovision fame to promote a message of tolerance, with performances
in front of the European Parliament and at LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender] events around Europe.
Ban paid
tribute to her efforts, saying: “I will continue to fight against transphobia
and homophobia. I will stand strong for equality. I hope more of you join our
global ‘Free and Equal’ campaign.”
In an
ankle-length blue dress and black high heels, Wurst, 25, said to cheers: “I
dream of a future where we won’t have to talk about sexual orientation, the
colour of your skin, your religious beliefs.”
This week’s
UN conference of landlocked developing countries brings together 32 nations
with a combined population of 450 million people looking at improving
transportation networks and access to markets.
Among those
present was Robert Mugabe, the 90-year-old president of Zimbabwe, and Bolivian
President Evo Morales. Neither attended Wurst’s performance.
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